Cite as: Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute (CZMAI). 2014. State of the Belize Coastal Zone Report 2003–2013. Cover Photo: Copyright Tony Rath / www.tonyrath.com All Rights Reserved Watermark Photos: Nicole Auil Gomez The reproduction of the publication for educational and sourcing purposes is authorized, with the recognition of intellectual property rights of the authors. Reproduction for commercial purposes is prohibited without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. State of the Belize Coastal Zone 2003–2013 2 Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute, 2014 Table of Contents Foreword by Honourable Lisel Alamilla, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 Foreword by Mr. Vincent Gillett, CEO, CZMAI ............................................................................................ 6 Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Contributors ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 10 Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan ............................................................................................. 13 A National Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for Belize: Creating a Blueprint for Sustainable Coastal Resources Use .................................................................... 14 State of the Belize Coastal Zone ................................................................................................................... 23 Habitat ...................................................................................................................................................... 24 Coral Reefs .............................................................................................................................................. 25 Coral Bleaching on the Belize Barrier Reef 2009-2011 ........................................................ 31 Coastal Mangroves ............................................................................................................................... 38 Seagrass ................................................................................................................................................... 49 The IUCN Red Listed ‘Vulnerable’ seagrass species Halophila baillonii in Placencia Lagoon, Belize. ...................................................................................................................................................................... 49 Dredging of seagrass beds and mangrove deforestation at Stake Bank, east of Belize City in 2008. ........................................................................................................................................................................ 50 Estuaries, Wetlands, & Watersheds .............................................................................................. 56 Sentinel Species .................................................................................................................................... 64 Marine Mammals .................................................................................................................................. 65 Marine Turtles ....................................................................................................................................... 73 Green turtles foraging on seagrass Thalassia testudinum. ................................................................. 76 Crocodiles................................................................................................................................................ 79 Coastal Birds .......................................................................................................................................... 86 Sharks and Rays .................................................................................................................................... 92 State of the Belize Coastal Zone 2003–2013 3 Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute, 2014 Research Activities 2003-2010 ..................................................................................................................... 93 Fisheries-Independent Chondrichthyan Surveys .................................................................................. 95 Shark and Ray Tourism .................................................................................................................................... 99 Strengths & Weaknesses of Research & Management in Belize ...................................................... 99 Effectiveness of Related Working Groups ............................................................................................. 100 Health of Belize’s Shark Populations Compared with Neighbours .............................................. 100 Recommendations .......................................................................................................................................... 101 References .......................................................................................................................................................... 101 Effectiveness of the Marine Protected Area System .......................................................................... 103 Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas - Fisheries Department Perspective ........ 104 Effective Management of the Belize MPA System - NGO Co-Management Perspective .................................................................................................................................................................. 108 Climatic Events ................................................................................................................................................. 114 Climate Change and the Coastal Zone ....................................................................................... 115 Extreme Weather Events ............................................................................................................... 121 Activities in the Coastal Zone ...................................................................................................................... 127 Terrestrial Impacts on the Coastal Zone .................................................................................. 128 Coastal Development and Environmental Impact Assessments Zone ......................... 132 Capture Fisheries .............................................................................................................................. 136 Status of Aquaculture ...................................................................................................................... 146 Tourism ................................................................................................................................................. 151 Authority ............................................................................................................................................................. 156 Legislation for the Coastal Zone .................................................................................................. 157 State of Belize’s Environmental Advocacy .............................................................................. 164 The Emotional Nature of Value in the Belize Barrier Reef................................................ 169 Appendix I .......................................................................................................................................................... 174 Extreme Weather Events (2003 to 2010) ............................................................................... 174 State of the Belize Coastal Zone 2003–2013 4 Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute, 2014 Foreword by Honourable Lisel Alamilla, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development The first “State of the Coast” Report was published in 1995 and the last in 2003. This year, 2014, we are once again happy to reflect upon the state of the coastal zone as we present the “State of the Belize Coastal Zone Report 2003- 2013”. This Report describes how various actors in the field of coastal zone management have impacted upon the management of coastal resources in Belize. The information provided in this Report represents the research outcomes and expert views held by a cross section of Belizeans researchers and their international counterparts residing or working in Belize. It represents an astonishing amount of work done by those persons who are dedicated to the process of guiding development within the coastal zone, in recognition of the relevance and importance of the coast to the lifestyle and livelihood of the people of Belize. Recognizing that engaging, coordinating and delivering information is critical to managing the coastal zone and the resources contained